The hybrid version of the BMW 5-Series F10 – known simply as the ActiveHybrid 5 – will hit the American market from March, starting at $61,845.

Now, nearly a grand of that is for destination charge and stuff, but still that’s a big price for 5er. To give you some perspective on how big, a normal 535i costs very nearly $10,000 less.

On the upside, the Activehybid will deliver much greater fuel economy (EPA rating yet to be announced), and much less CO2. The car is powered by a sophisticated hybrid system consisting of a 3.0L turbocharged, inline-six engine with 300-hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, and an electric motor with 54-hp and 155 lb-ft of torque.

That means a combined output of 335-hp and 330 lb-ft of torque which is channeled to the rear wheels through a new 8-speed automatic transmission. It propels the car from 0 to 60mph in 5.7 seconds. In electric mode you can drive for abut 2.5 miles with top speed of 37mph.

It’s all good, but a normal diesel will do better both performance and economy-wise. It’s just the CO2 issue. Pity.